Regional leaders have about a month to screen applications for a $474 million federal transportation grant program, with hopes of having one project in the region to forcefully endorse.
The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, grants are awarded to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, or a metropolitan area or region.
Regional leaders are pushing for one application to be identified as the region's top priority, hoping that that will persuade federal officials to fund that project.
That application review is scheduled to happen at Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation meetings this month, with JPACT scheduled to vote on an application to endorse at a special May 30 meeting.
Metro Councilor Carlotta Collette, who chairs JPACT, said the Portland region is unlikely to receive funding for more than one project through TIGER grants.
"When the region can agree that there is one top priority, it makes it much easier for our congressional delegation to support that request," she said. "It makes sense to put forward the one we think has the best chance of succeeding."
In 2012, JPACT endorsed the Sunrise Corridor project to be the region's top priority. The federal government declined to dedicate TIGER grant funding for the project, which would build a 2-lane bypass around an industrial area near Highways 212 and 224 south of Happy Valley. Later that year, JPACT and Metro dedicated other money for that project.
Applications for TIGER funding will use a project proposal form from the Oregon Department of Transportation, with applications due May 10. Transportation planners are set to issue a technical evaluation of the projects on May 23, with the JPACT vote scheduled for May 30.
Applications are due to the federal government by June 3.